Youth Murdered Near Kinathukadavu; Suspects, Including Minor, Allegedly Pose with Victim’s Body

Coimbatore: Police have launched a manhunt for two persons, including a juvenile, who allegedly murdered a 22-year-old youth near Kinathukadavu in Coimbatore district in the early hours of Thursday and later shared photographs and a selfie with the deceased on Instagram.

The deceased has been identified as Ashwin (22) of Sikkalampalayam near Pollachi. He was found lying in a pool of blood inside a house with multiple fatal injuries.

According to police, the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday when Ashwin was allegedly consuming alcohol at his friend's house. His acquaintances, Madesh (22) and a 16-year-old boy from the same locality, allegedly entered the house, attacked him with a hammer and later slit his throat, killing him on the spot.

Adding a gruesome dimension to the crime, the accused allegedly photographed the victim, recorded a video and even posed for a selfie with the deceased before sharing the images on social media.

On receiving information, Kinathukadavu police rushed to the spot and conducted an investigation with the assistance of forensic experts and a sniffer dog squad. The body was later recovered and sent to the Pollachi Government Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Police have registered a murder case and launched a search for the two accused, who remain absconding.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Ashwin and the two suspects were known to each other and that prior enmity may have led to the murder. However, police said the exact motive is yet to be established.

A special police team has been formed to trace and apprehend the accused. Further investigation is underway.